Mare Monte, Little Susie's, Lola's Garden, The Wonton Project, River Twice, Capriotti's Sandwich Shop & more!

Hello, Spring, are you there?

Apr 17, 2021

The weather this week had restaurants breaking out the heaters again for outdoor diners. Let’s get on with Spring already! I celebrated my birthday yesterday by working all day then getting gnocchi delivered from Mare Monte in Haddonfield. I have wanted to try this restaurant for a while. It opened in 2019, and I never got there before the pandemic. Even though Haddonfield is six miles away, the restaurant comes up on the 3rd party delivery services to my house, but I was skeptical about how well the food would travel. I decided to go for it. It is what it is, and I want to support as many local restaurants as I can. I figured pasta would be a safe choice.

Luckily, the Gnocchi Alla Vodka traveled well. You better believe I am counting the days until I am fully vaxxed, and I can go out for a nice dinner! But I digress. On with the news…

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Reader Tip! Little Susie’s Coffee & Pie in Port Richmond

Venise Castaneda-Whitaker @venisew

So worth every bite. @PhillyGrub

My friend Venise tagged me on a post this week showing off what looked to be a very nice wrapped empanada. She knew I had recently tried Empanada Alley’s empanadas so I appreciate the tip about this shop in Port Richmond. Previously not on my radar, Little Susie’s specializes in sweet and savory hand pies, which are essentially a non-cultural equivalent to the empanada. The shop at 2532 E Lehigh Ave. also offers bagels, yogurt, coffee, and lattes for pick-up only; open daily from 7 AM-2 PM. Check them out!

littlesusies

A post shared by @littlesusies

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Lola’s Garden Opens in Ardmore with LOTS of Outdoor Seating

Everybody and their mother attended the VIP grand opening of Lola’s Garden at the Suburban Square in Ardmore, PA this past week. This is owner Avram Hornik and FCM Hospitality’s first venue outside of the city. FCM has tapped acclaimed former Russet Chef Andrew Wood as Executive Chef. The modern American menu will feature small bites, salads, sandwiches, entrees, and desserts. A big draw will undoubtedly be the abundance of outdoor seating which includes a giant four-season 2,500 square foot dining area complete with trellis and a beer and wine garden patio with an outdoor bar. I’m sure it will be a very popular spot on the Main Line this summer.

https://philly.eater.com/22383408/lolas-garden-open-new-restaurant-suburban-square-ardmore-menu

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Ellen Yin Launches The Wonton Project to Benefit AAPI Community

In the wake of the violence targeting Asian-Americans in Atlanta last month, Ellen Yin has launched The Wonton Project, a pop-up ghost kitchen concept operating out of Old City’s Fork Restaurant delivering tasty wontons in the city. Proceeds from the sale of the wontons will benefit Asian Americans United and Asian Americans Advancing Justice directly. Ordering is available Wednesday through Sunday, 11 AM to 8 PM.

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East Passyunk Avenue Interview with Randy Rucker of River Twice

EPA has debuted the first in a series of interviews with Avenue businesses this past week. The first interview is with Randy Rucker, chef and co-owner of River Twice located at 1601 East Passyunk Avenue. In the video, he describes what it's taken to make it through the pandemic as a restaurant owner, and how neighbors have embraced and supported them.

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Sample Shoutout! Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop

This past week, I received a few sandwiches from Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, which is operating as a ghost kitchen out of North Center Food Nest on Girard Avenue. Gosh, if you haven’t tried these sandwiches you’re truly missing out! “The Bobbie” is hugely popular, it’s basically their version of “The Gobbler” but it’s wayyyy better. They roast Butterball turkeys in-house every day for their turkey sandwiches. “The Capistrami” was also a revelation. The coleslaw is SO GOOD! You must try them. I’m looking forward to trying more.